Urban Engineers, Inc. provided Construction Management services to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for two new $77 million ramps built off of the Commodore Barry Bridge. Projected to accommodate over 17,000 vehicles daily, the ramps provide travelers direct connection to the Chester waterfront via Interstate-95 and Route 291, 2nd Street, in Chester, PA.

In addition to improving travel into and out of Chester, the ramps will complement and assist the City’s economic development and revitalization. John Matheussen, CEO, Delaware River Port Authority, stated, “Not only did this job create hundreds of good-paying jobs, but when the bridges open, thousands of more jobs will be created along the waterfront.”

The new off-ramp from eastbound Route 322 to Route 291 (2nd Street) is 1,360-feet long and 33-feet wide. The ramp from Route 291 (2nd Street) to westbound Route 322 and I-95 is 1,479-feet long and 33-feet wide. The ramps have eight to ten spans and a concrete riding surface supported by steel beams and reinforced concrete piers.

“Construction of the ramps, which began in 2008, was challenging, to say the least,” stated Urban’s Vice President of Construction Services, Leo Leonetti, PE. “Extensive soil testing, connecting the existing concrete bridge structure with the new ramps at 100 feet in the air, and erecting new gantries and replacing bridge beam supports in tight quarters, while traffic continued on the bridge, required a high-level of coordination and teamwork.”

Steve Laws, Senior Assistant Construction Engineer for PennDOT, echoes Leonetti’s sentiment, “Although construction of the ramps was challenging, good teamwork made the difference in completing the project.”

“The City of Chester is on the rise. These ramps make it easier to enjoy Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack, watch a Major League Soccer game at PPL Park and access the City’s historic and vibrant waterfront,” stated Urban’s Executive Vice President Joseph P. McAtee, PE. “We are happy to have assisted PennDOT and the City of Chester in this project. With improved infrastructure, this historic city is one step closer to a renaissance.”